If the idea of buying a house both scares and excites you, that’s how it should be. If you’re only intimidated or only enthusiastic, you’re probably going into the mortgage-buying process ill-informed. After all, in the years before the Great Recession, homebuyers weren’t intimidated at all. For quite a few… read more →
Most of us have known someone to be the victim of a scam and we say to ourselves “That will never happen to me”. The truth of the matter is: It could. By staying aware of the latest tricks these criminals use, you can reduce your risk of having your… read more →
It’s natural for any owner to try and maximize profits when it comes to putting their home on the market. And one tactic many prospective sellers consider when trying to cash in is cutting the realtor commission by selling the house themselves! Well, here’s a reality check. Selling your home… read more →
With the cost of everything rising, included are home renovations. Many couples headed to the altar have taken matters into their hands and come up with a creative new way to finance their new design. Instead of offering guests the typical choices, they sign up for an online cash-gift registry… read more →
The number of renters has swelled nationwide following the collapse of the housing bubble. Some renters face stiffer competition for vacancies and higher rents. All renters who take the time to study the quirks of their particular market will fare better. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a renter.… read more →
When you started researching what it takes to buy a home, you probably came face-to-face with one number over and over again: 20 percent. Traditionally, that’s how much was needed to buy a home. These days, there are a number of alternatives to the 20 percent down payment, with some… read more →
A new study shows that many home sellers are unrealistically optimistic, asking considerably more than they’re likely to get. As a result, they risk long delays in finding buyers, which means a lot of lost revenue while the house sits idle on the market. What’s more, homeowners who bought after the… read more →
Retirees need to budget carefully to stay within their fixed income. If the value of their investments sinks after retirement, seniors often have little choice but to spend less or return to the workforce. But there are plenty of ways to make a little of extra cash without having to… read more →
If you’re in the market for a new house or condo, you may also need a loan officer to help with underwriting and securing a mortgage. We suggest talking to two or more loan officers to find one who instills confidence. There is a trade-off. Sometimes the best rate doesn’t… read more →
Death isn’t on the minds of most homeowners on closing day, because we all live forever, right? Unfortunately, no. Let’s face it: it’s really never too early to consider what happens to your mortgage should you pass away. The financial obligation of a home loan does linger after death. There’s… read more →